(12) United States Patent
`US 6,247,130 B1
`(10) Patent N0.:
` Fritsch (45) Date of Patent: Jun. 12, 2001
`
`
`
`USOO6247130B1
`
`(54) DISTRIBUTION OF MUSICAL PRODUCTS
`BY A WEB SITE VENDOR OVER THE
`INTERNET
`
`........................ 705/14
`6,009,410 * 12/1999 LeMole et al.
`6,038,595 *
`3/2000 Ortony ................................. 709/218
`
`(76)
`
`.
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Inventor: Bernhard Fritsch, 220 E. 65th St.,
`New York, NY (US) 10021
`.
`.
`.
`.
`SUbJeCt to any disclaimer, the term 0fth15
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. NO': 09/487’372
`(22) Filed:
`Jan. 18, 2000
`
`(60)
`
`_
`_
`. Related. U..S. Appllcatlon Data
`.
`PmVlSlonal. {ipphcatlor} N9~ 60/116918: filed on Jan- 22:
`1999, prov151onal application No. 60/116,910, filed on Jan.
`22, 1999, provisional application No. 60/116,779, filed on
`Jan. 22, 1999, provisional application No. 60/116,917, filed
`on Jan. 22, 1999, provisional application No. 60/116,780,
`filed on Jim 22: 1999: and PTOVISIOnal apphcatlon N°~
`60/116,778, filed on Jan. 22, 1999.
`
`Int. Cl.7 ........................................................ H06F 1/24
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`.......................... 713/171; 713/160; 713/161;
`380/255; 380/258
`(58) Field of Search ..................................... 380/255, 258,
`380/283, 28; 713/160, 161, 168, 170, 171
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Thomas R. Peeso
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Brown Raysman Millstein
`Felder & Steiner LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The system and method permit the purchase of audio music
`files over the Internet. The PC user logs onto the vendor’s
`web site and browses the songs available for purchase. The
`songs can be arranged by artist, music style, etc., as men-
`tioned above. Further, the vendor can provide suggestions on
`th
`b
`'t
`d.
`t.
`th PC
`t
`th t
`- ht b
`6
`SI 6’
`1rec lng
`6
`user 0 songs
`a mlg
`e .We
`de51rable, based on that PC user 5 prev1ous purchases, her
`indicated preferences, popularity of the songs, paid adver-
`tising and the like. If interested in a song, the PC user has the
`.
`.
`.
`“
`.
`,,
`.
`.
`option of clicking on a song to pre-listen to 1t—hearmg a
`20-second clip, for example. If the PC user then wishes to
`purchase the song, she can submit her order by clicking on
`the icons located next to each song/album. The order will be
`reflected in the shopping basket, always visible on the
`screen. As the PC user selects more items, each and every
`item is displayed in the shopping basket. At any point in
`time, the PC user can review her selections, deleting items
`she no longer desires.
`
`5,991,399 * 11/1999 Graunke et al.
`
`......................... 380/4
`
`14 Claims, 24 Drawing Sheets
`
`Online Record Shopping Processes - MCY Electronic Comerce 1
`
` @
`
`Online ”\18
`Customer
`
`
`
`
`1
`Internet
`”\20
`CITY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Order online Download
`of chosen Music, Film
`or Book
`
`Digital online delivery
`of Music sound file per
`downloading
`
` MCY Media City
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OnlineCustomerpayment
` MCYShoppingbasket
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1
`
`Order online Download
`of chosen Information
`
`Mailorder CD'S
`Video, Books, Sheet,
`Music, CD Roms,
`Games, Others
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`D
`
`MCYDelivery
`
`Digital online delivery
`of Text and Grafics for
`required information
`
`Delivery of finished
`product p. Mall
`
`Delivery of personal
`compliation CD per
`Mall
`
`
`
`
`
`Mailorder my personal
`compiled Media CD
`
`
`
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101-0001
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`Netscape: MCY Music City
`Search Netscape Images
`Prim Security
`
`Back
`
`Forward Reload Home
`
`Stop
`
`Locationo htt- ://www,mc ncom
`
`oARTlST osom:
`
`QALBUM
`
`INFO
`
`NETrax
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`Featured Selections
`Air
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`Moon Safari
`Air's debut LP prowdes for a
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`Q20
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`Air's debut LP provides for a
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`orchestrate , elec ronic
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`6. Lenny Kravitz: 5
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`HOW (Old?)
`Dylan release
`October marks
`the highly
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`1999 Bob
`y an
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`reviousl available asa opular unlicensed
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`audience, dismayed by Dylan's radical.
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`unanticipated change of style,
`ironically, the
`bootlegged copies ad been mistitled as the
`1968 concert at The Royal Albert Hall.
`Whereas Dylan and his backing band The
`hawks actuall performed the taped show at
`The Free Tia e Hall.
`Interview
`
`MCY Choice Cuts
`.
`-
`1 ' Camera. 3 Tenors In Concert JUIV 1999
`2, Madonna: Flay Of Light
`3. Titanic: Soundtrack Music By James
`Homer
`sarah Davis Buechner
`4, Enykah Badu: Enykan Badu Live
`Sarah gives us insight on
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`.
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`5. Oasrs, WhatsThe Story Morning Glory §> gaining mastery over the
`Chopin Etudes, Bring the
`piano next the the computer
`7, Aritha Franklin: Sparkle
`and warm those digits for this masterclass
`
`12
`
`FIG. 1A
`
`14
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0002
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12,
`
`2001
`
`Sheet 2 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`10
`
`Back
`
`Forward Reload Home
`
`Netscape: MCY Music City
`Search Netscape Images
`Prim Security
`
`Stop
`
`Location ’
`
`oAHTlST 050m;
`
`oALBUM
`
`INFO
`
`NETrax
`
`and warm those digits for this masterclass
`
`MCY Player
`1:
`'LK NJW‘ $9
`MDEE
`HI
`l1ll=|lll
`iEi/a
`
`FREE download
`The MCY Player
`News
`
`How (old?)
`Dylan release
`October marks
`the highly
`anticipated
`release of a
`controversial
`1999 Bob Dylan
`Consort from
`the UK.
`
`Ereviouslyavailable as a opular unlicensed
`ootleg.
`his recording ocuments Dylan‘s
`then criticized early electric period where he
`reinvented himself, transforming a laid back,
`acoustic-solo artist into an a gressive.
`electric, R&B Bandleader. T is tape bears
`witness to a combative and confrontational
`audience, dismayed by Dylan's radical,
`unanticipated chan e of style. Ironically, the
`bootlegged copies ad been mistitled as the
`1968 concert at The Floyal Albert Hall,
`Whereas Dylan and his backing band, The
`hawks actual! performed the taped show at
`The Free Tra 9 Hall.
`Interview
`
`sarah Davis Buechner
`Sarah gives us insight on
`gaining mastery over the
`Chopin Etudes. Bring the
`piano next the the computer
`
`é:
`
`Featured Selections
`
`Air
`.
`Moon Safari
`Air's debut LP prowdes for a
`mesmeriztn , richl
`‘
`orchestrate ,elecronic
`ambient experience
`Q30
`Air
`‘
`Moon Safari
`Air‘s debut LP prowdes fora
`mesmerizm , richl
`.
`orchestrate ,elecronic
`ambient experience
`
`Qco
`Air
`_
`Moon Safari
`Air's debut LP prowdes for a
`mesmerizm , richl
`.
`orchestrate ,elecronic
`ambient experience
`
`030
`
`MCY Choice Cuts
`1. Camara: 3 Tenors in Concert July 1999
`2‘ Madonna: Ray Of Light
`3. Titanic: Soundtrack Music By James
`Horner
`_
`. Enykah Badu: Enykan Badu Live
`. Oasis: What's The Story Morning Glory
`. Lenny Kravitz: 5
`7: Aritha Franklin: Sparkle
`
`4 5 6
`
`Item
`Air: Moon Safari
`
`13.1mm
`Licensed T0111
`
`Price Remove
`
`$19.62
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`Password
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`12
`
`FIG. 1B
`
`14
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0003
`
`

`

`Price Remove
`
`$ 19.62
`
`$11.97
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`Password
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`Back
`
`Forward Reload Home
`
`Netscape: MCY Music City
`Print
`Search Netscape Images
`Security
`
`Stop
`
`10
`
`0mm oso~a
`
`oALBUM
`
`INFO
`
`NETrax
`
`Air
`Moon Safari
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`16
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`Beastie Boys
`Licensed To 11]
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`12
`
`FIG.
`
`1C
`
`14
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0004
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0005
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`@
`
`Item
`
`P ' 6 Remove
`
`14
`
`Air: Moon Safari
`
`$19.62
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`Gershwin.G : Porgy &
`Bess
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`
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`
`FIG. 1E
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0006
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`Back
`
`Forward Reload Home
`
`Search Netscape Images
`
`Print
`
`Security
`
`Stop
`
`Netscape: MCY Music City
`
`10
`
`oAimsr 050m;
`
`QALBUM
`
`INF0 NETrax
`
`Louis Armstrong
`The Best Of Louis Armstrong
`
`Prestige Records
`
`Track No Prelisten
`
`Track Name
`
`add eTRAX to list
`
`When The Saints Go
`Marching in
`On the Sunny Side Of
`The Street
`
`Ain‘t Misbehavin‘
`
`Tiger Rag
`
`Muskrat Ramble
`
`Jelly Roll Blues
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`C‘est Si Bon
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`Hello Dolly
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`NETrax
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`NETrax
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`NETrax
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`NETrax
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`NETrax
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`Louis Armstrong - Want A Big Butter And Egg Man GD
`
`Kwame Prime -Talk to me {radio edit
`
`Louis Armstrong - Ain't Misbehavin'
`Kwame Prime - Sun shine
`
`Police, The - Every Breath You Take: Singles
`Louis Armstrong - So Long Dearie
`
`Louis Armstrong - Dear Old Southland
`
`Louis Armstrong - Chimes Blue
`
`Louis Armstrong - lndiana
`
`Louis Armstrong -Tiger Flag
`
`Louis Armstrong - Muskrat Ramble
`
`Louis Armstrong - Someday You'll Be Sorry
`
`Louis Armstrong - Blueberry Hill
`
`Louis Armstrong -Tyrees Blues
`
`Louis Armstrong - C'est Si Bon
`
`Louis Armstrong ~ Cabaret
`
`Louis Armstrong - Chessecake
`
`Louis Armstrong - Ain't Misbehavin'
`
`Louis Armstrong - St James lnllrmary
`
`Louis Armstrong - Honeysuckle Hose
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`Louis Armstrong - Sweethearts On Parade
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`Louis Armstrong - Pretty Little Missy
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`WWW”.
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0007
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`14
`
`
`Past Orders
`
`You are logged in as; Bernhard
`
`Your MMP Key:
`nSUCOquOO8mZ+vq=chDs4tVZaR4eK19uSBk+bmA
`
`Glenn Miller - Moonlight Sernade
`
`Police, The — Ghost In The Machine
`
`Glenn Miller - In The Mood
`Louis Armstrong - Jelly Roll Blues
`
`Kwame Prime —Talk to me
`
`(radio edit)
`
`Louis Armstrong - Ain't Misbehavin'
`
`Kwame Prime - Sun shine
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` Police, The : Every Breath You Take:
`Singles
`
`Louis Armstrong - So Long Dearie
`Louis Armstrong - Dear Old Southland
`
`Louis Armstrong - Mack The Knife
`
` Louis Armstrong - Chimes Blue
`Louis Armstrong - Indiana
`
`
`
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`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0008
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`10
`
`Netscape: MCY Music City
`
`
`
`Forward Reload Home
`
`Search Netscape Images
`
`Prim Security
`
`Slop
`
`Welcome to the MCY Sales Checker Application
`Please login if you have not recieved a login, yet, please contact MCY at + 49 30 61 00 5550 or at info@mcy.de
`
`Sent comments and bugs to eike@mcy.de
`
`Login: mcy
`
`Password: ***
`
`Version 0.1 alpha 1.30. 4. 1998
`(c) 1998 Fritsch Friends Mediagroup GmbH
`
`FIG. 3A
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0009
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`Back
`
`Forward Reload Home
`
`Netscape: MCY Music City
`Search Netscape Images
`Print
`Security
`
`Slop
`
`10
`
`
`
`iLoeutitmO htt-z/lwwwimc .com
`
`Sales for mcy
`Please select a month
`
`Sales for mcy in January 1999
`Please Note: The data displayed is test data
`
`1997
`
`Total Orders; 0
`Total Prices: $000
`
`Count Description Plice Category
`
`an 1999
`Dec 1998
`Nov 1998
`Oct 1998
`569 1998
`%
`Jun 1998
`May 1998
`Apr 199
`Mar 1998
`Feb 1998
`Jan 1998
`Dec 1997
`Nov 1997
`Oct 1997
`Sep 1997
`Au
`
`FIG. 3B
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101-0010
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
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`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101-0011
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 11 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`NETF5?"
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`W QARTIST osow QALBUM
`
`IC l:::]
`
`INFO
`
`NETrax
`
`FIG. 4C
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101-0012
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 12 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`
`
`Ll I_l-I_l|_l
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`
`40
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101-0013
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 13 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`LOUIS ARMSTRONG
`
`Louis Armstrong
`The Best Of Louis
`
`Armstrong
`
`Prestige Records
`
`add eTRAX to list
`
`Track No. Prelisten
`
`Track Name
`
`When The Saints Go
`
`Marching in
`
`On the Sunny Side Of
`The Street
`
`Ain't Misbehavin'
`
`Tiger Rag
`
`Muskrat Ramble
`
`Jelly Roll Blues
`
`C'est Si Bon
`
`Hello Dolly
`
`Mack The Knife
`
`Kiss To Build A
`Dream On
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`2%
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`
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`
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`/
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`
`FIG. 4D
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -001 4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 14 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`W QARTIST osom;
`
`0.
`
`IC :1-
`
`oALBUM
`
`INFO
`
`NETrax
`
`Club
`
`Elm
`
`efleefiro flea
`and @[m@@
`
`Featured Selections
`
`MCY Choice Cuts
`
`.
`'
`Elektronauten
`
`____—CollectlveInduced F'Ct'on
`
`Elektronauten Collective Induced Fiction
`Various Welcome To The Club Vol.1
`
`NETraX
`
`Lam
`welcome Welcome To The Club Vol.
`to the
`
`FIG. 4B
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101-0015
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 15 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`oAl-‘lTlST oso~a
`
`QALBUM
`
`INFO
`
`NETrax
`
`Featured Selections
`
`MCY Choice Cuts
`
`Carola Grey Time Of Illusions
`
`Charlie Mariano Innuendo
`
`Carola Grey
`Time Of Illusions
`
`(120
`NETrax
`Charlie Mariano
`Innuendo
`
`Al Jameau Ain't No Sunshine
`
`
`NETrax Q20
`Al Jameau
`Ain't No Sunshine
`
`NETrax
`
`FIG.
`
`4F
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101-0016
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 16 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`oAFITiST oso~a
`
`QALBUM
`
`INFO
`
`NETrax
`
`HfianGDIPKRYR&B___
`
`Featured Selections
`
`MCY Choice Cuts
`
`NETrax Q’D
`
`Adam Holzman Band
`Manifesto
`
`Adam Hoizman Band Manifesto
`
`Kazda Finally
`
`NETrax
`
`Kazda
`Finally
`
`FIG. 4G
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101-0017
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 17 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`oARTiST osoua
`
`QALBUM
`
`INFO
`
`NETrax
`
`Featured Selections
`
`MCY Choice Cuts
`
`Split Mirrors 1999
`
`Bangagel Locker Beib'n
`
`Prime Crime Animal Rites
`
`
`
`%
`
`Sgggthirrors
`1—
`
`NETI‘BX
`
`|
`B
`angage
`Locker Beib'n
`
`Sglit Mirrors 1999
`
`NETrax
`
`Prime Crime
`Animal Rites
`
`NETraxC190
`
`FIG. 4H
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101-0018
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 18 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`W QAFmsr osom;
`
`IC E
`
`QALBUM
`
`INFO
`
`NETrax
`
`Featured Selections
`
`MCY Choice Cuts
`
`Sglit Mirrors 1999
`
`Bangagel LockerBeib'n
`
`Prime Crime Animal Rites
`——— ——
`Sglit Mirrors 1999
`
`%@
`
`9993;Mirrors
`
`g
`
`3 NETrax
`B
`|
`angage
`Lowe—VBSib'fl
`
`NETrax
`
`Prime Crime
`
`W N
`
`ETrax QC“
`
`Split Mirrors
`
`FIG. 41
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101-0019
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 19 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`w QARTIST osorva
`
`.1.
`
`IC [:1
`
`QALBUM
`
`INFO
`
`NETrax
`
`NETrax
`
`Featured Selections
`
`MCY Choice Cuts
`
`Original Zengela Band
`Original Zengela Band
`
`Original Zengela Band Original Zengela Band
`
`g
`
`9
`
`‘l!
`
`.3!
`
`NETrax
`
`Safari Sound Band
`Mambo Jambo
`
`Safari Sound Band Mambo Jambo
`
`FIG. 4]
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0020
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 20 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`QARTIST osom;
`
`QALBUM
`
`INFO
`
`NETrax
`
`NETrax
`
`genome
`
`Featured Selections
`
`MCY Choice Cuts
`
`inal Zen ela Band
`Ori
`Original Zengela Band
`
`Original Zengela Band Original Zengela Band
`
`5
`
`0
`
`NETrax
`
`Safari Sound Band
`Mambo Jambo
`
`Safari Sound Band Mambo Jambo
`
`FIG. 4K
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101-0021
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 21 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`W QARTlST osom;
`
`.c :-
`
`QALBUM
`
`INFO
`
`NETrax
`
`NETrax
`
`fiMfioccceflllaimeouus
`
`Featured Selections
`
`MCY Choice Cuts
`
`Original Zengela Band
`Original Zengela Band
`
`Original Zengela Band Original Zengela Band
`
`g
`
`0
`
`NETrax
`
`Safari Sound Band
`Mambo Jambo
`
`Safari Sound Band Mambo Jambo
`
`FIG. 4L
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0022
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 22 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`Company Info
`
`OWhat is MCY Music?
`
`OWho is behind MCY Music?
`
`0 What advantage_s does MCY offer?
`
`Website Elements
`
`0 Navigation
`0 Shopping List
`
`Troubleshooting
`
`0 Why doesn't the_p|ayer automatically glay the MPEG files when i download them from
`Othe Browser?
`
`n@
`
`MCY Player
`
`0 Overview
`
`0 System Requirements
`MacOS
`
`Contacts
`
`0 address
`
`Ophone fax and email
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0023
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 23 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0024
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2001
`
`Sheet 24 0f 24
`
`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`8260325500>05._.:_Emm:wo_c:<>02.:o_mmE.EooSmo>o_>_
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`
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`
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`
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`
`56
`
`b.UE
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0025
`
`

`

`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`1
`DISTRIBUTION OF MUSICAL PRODUCTS
`BY A WEB SITE VENDOR OVER THE
`INTERNET
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims the benefit of US. Provisional
`Application No. 60/116,918, filed on Jan. 22, 1999; US.
`Provisional Application No. 60/116,910, filed on Jan. 22,
`1999; US. Provisional Application No. 60/116,779, filed on
`Jan. 22, 1999; US. Provisional Application No. 60/116,917,
`filed on Jan. 22, 1999; US. Provisional Application No.
`60/116,780, filed on Jan. 22, 1999; and US. Provisional
`Application No. 60/116,778, filed on Jan. 22, 1999.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to digital music
`downloading. More particularly,
`the present
`invention
`relates to a system and method for distributing digital music
`over the Internet by a web site vendor.
`The Internet has offered opportunities for electronic com-
`merce of massive proportions. Among other things, distri-
`bution of music over the computer-implemented global
`network is a well suited application of e-commerce, whereby
`consumers can easily and quickly find and purchase indi-
`Vidual tracks or entire albums. A need therefore exists for a
`
`system and method that provide a music web site that is
`comprehensive, versatile, user-friendly, and protects the
`proprietary rights of artists and other rights holders.
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital
`music distribution web site.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`digital music distribution web site wherein a customer
`shopping list is always Visible on a display screen.
`It is yet another object of the present invention to display
`a shopping history for each registered user/customer for
`unlimited downloading of the previously purchased items.
`It is still another object of the present invention to display
`a sales and royalty history for rights holders based on the
`sales of the product Via the web site.
`It is still another object of the present invention to prohibit
`an unauthorized transfer of downloaded music files for
`
`playback by an unregistered user/customer.
`The above and other objects are achieved by a system and
`method for digitally distributing music comprised of tracks
`and albums over the Internet to a plurality of the Internet
`users. According to the present invention, a key is assigned
`to a track for downloading to a user, and the assigned key is
`inserted into the track prior to the downloading. The same
`assigned key is transferred to the user prior to downloading
`the track. The transferred key is combined with additional
`data to generate an identifier that uniquely identifies a
`customer’s computer. It is then verified whether the key
`extracted from the downloaded track matches the informa-
`
`tion based on the generated identifier to enable the playback
`of the track.
`
`In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
`the assigned key is unique to the user in correspondence to
`a username and password combination, and the user enters
`the username and password combination to access the track
`in a database prior to the assignment of the key.
`In accordance with another aspect of the present
`invention, the track is downloaded only if the user purchases
`the track prior to the downloading.
`
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`2
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention is illustrated in the figures of the
`accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary
`and not limiting, in which like reference characters refer to
`like or corresponding parts, and in which:
`FIG. 1A shows an illustration of the Video display screen
`as Viewed by the PC user after connecting to the vendor’s
`web site for distributing musical products;
`FIG. 1B shows an illustration of the Video display screen
`after the PC user’s login has been successfully completed;
`FIG. 1C illustrates an option for the PC user to click on
`a song to “pre-listen” to it—hearing a 20-second clip, for
`example;
`FIG. 1D is a block diagram of the network-based music
`distribution system according to the present invention;
`FIG. 1E illustrates in detail the shopping basket contain-
`ing the desired items;
`FIG. 2A shows an illustration of the monitor screen
`
`displaying another feature of the network-based system
`according to the present invention;
`FIG. 2B shows in detail the records reflecting previous
`purchases listed under the “Past Orders” sub-heading;
`FIG. 3A shows an illustration of the monitor screen
`
`displaying the user interface for accessing the information
`on royalties;
`FIG. 3B shows royalty information maintained as a his-
`torical record (showing all the royalties earned to date) or as
`an incremental record (showing all the royalties currently
`outstanding);
`FIG. 3C is a block diagram of the sales sub-system for
`determining sales and royalties for the rights-holders in
`accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 4A shows the name of the encoding format for
`digital music in accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 4B shows a portion of the screen displaying a music
`player for listening to the downloaded music in the NETrax
`or MP3 format;
`FIG. 4C shows a portion of the screen displaying the user
`interface for the web site for distributing digital or analog
`music according to the present invention; FIG. 4D shows a
`screen display whereby the search is performed by an
`album;
`FIGS. 4E—4L show screen displays in response to the PC
`user search by different genres. such as electronica and
`dance, jazz, hip-hop, rap, R&B, country, rock and pop,
`world, children’s and miscellaneous;
`FIG. 5 shows a screen displaying a page for various other
`portions of the web site, whereby additional information
`may be obtained by clicking on the displayed heading or
`sub-heading;
`FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the database structure in
`accordance with the present invention; and
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of various software and
`hardware units (sub-systems), as well as database
`components, comprising the overall system of the present
`invention
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`As a general overview, the present invention includes a
`system and method for maintaining a music web site on the
`Internet. Consumers may access the web site Via a personal
`computer or any other wired or wireless Internet access
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0026
`
`

`

`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`3
`device, such as WebTV, personal digital assistant, cellular
`telephone, etc., to obtain a variety of services and products.
`For instance, a consumer may browse through artists, tracks
`or albums, pre-listen to a portion of the song and purchase
`the selected song either by downloading the digital data to
`her computer hard drive or by placing a mail order for a
`compact disk (CD). A specially encoded or encrypted MP3
`files called “NETrax”are delivered from a server over the
`Internet or cable services to the end consumers’ home PC.
`
`The present invention is directed to, among other things,
`a network-based system for distribution of musical products
`over a network, such as the Internet for example. The system
`includes a server platform for processing user requests and
`other information associated with the operation of the sys-
`tem. The server is connected to a database, which may be
`remote or local, for storing data. The stored data represents
`digitized songs, text associated with each song such as track
`name, album name, artist name, lyrics, etc.,
`image data,
`graphics, etc.
`The server is a node on a global computer-implemented
`network, such as the Internet. As known to those skilled in
`the art, a network router may be used to connect the server
`to the Internet for controlling the flow of data. Also con-
`nected to the Internet is a plurality of nodes, such as personal
`computers, Web devices, etc., under control by the users
`(hereinafter collectively referred to as PC users). The PC
`users communicate with the server using dial-up modems,
`cable modems, IDSN, DSL, etc., and using browser pro-
`grams executing on their personal computers or other
`Internet-compatible devices, as well known to those skilled
`in the art. Communication links or sessions are established
`between the PC users and the server, via the Internet, when
`the PC users log onto the web site hosted by the server.
`In the preferred embodiment, a PC user logs on to the
`Internet to access the World Wide Web portion thereof using
`a web browser program. That is, the PC user selects and
`enters a URL address for the vendor’s web site on her
`
`computer, and a communication link is established between
`the PC user and the selected vendor’s web site. The request
`from the browser goes out to the server using the Internet
`(HTTP) protocol. Using SQL commands, the server then
`accesses the database maintaining the requested URL
`address information, and the HTML-based results are trans-
`ferred from the database to the server and subsequently to
`the client’s browser for display on the PC user display
`monitor.
`
`FIG. 1A shows an illustration of the video display screen
`10 as viewed by the PC user after connecting to the vendor’s
`web site for distributing musical products.
`As shown in the figure, the web site display is divided into
`2 portions: main portion 12 on the left side of the screen 10
`contains fields for entering music-related search queries. For
`example, the PC user may search for desired songs by artist
`after entering the artist’s name. The operation is carried out
`by various search engines for searching relational databases.
`Alternatively, the PC user may look for a song by title or
`album name. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1A, songs
`and/or albums attributed to different genres may be dis-
`played on the screen in response to the PC user’s selection.
`Furthermore, a music player for playing the digital music
`downloaded via the Internet from the server is displayed in
`the main section of the screen. The music player, known as
`“MCY NETrax Player”, may be downloaded to the PC also
`via the Internet from the server and contains operation
`controls for listening to the downloaded digital music.
`The main section contains various content under several
`
`headings and sub-headings. For example, FIG. 1A shows
`
`10
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`
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`
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`
`4
`albums and/or songs under the heading “Featured Selec-
`tions” as selectively featured on the web site. Under the
`“MCY Choice Cuts” heading, a number of songs/albums is
`listed as, once again, selected by the web site vendor. FIG.
`1A also shows the “News” category, representatively pro-
`filing an artist, and under the “Interview” heading an inter-
`view with an artist is available for viewing. It is understood,
`of course, that other music content and categories, headings,
`sub-headings, etc., may be provided on the web site, includ-
`ing hyperlinks to other web sites, pages, etc. It is noted that
`a vertical scroll bar may be required to view the content of
`the entire frame occupying the left portion of the screen.
`The right portion of the display screen is independently
`controlled from the left portion and includes the “Shopping
`List” heading, as well as the login procedure for PC users.
`In particular, when a PC user desires to purchase a song or
`an album, she registers with the web site vendor using the
`on-line login procedure. The registration comprises entering
`the username and password to gain access to the web site
`vendor’s products. When a new PC user logs in, she selects
`a username and password and then clicks on the “New User”
`software button on the screen. The new PC user is then
`
`requested to re-confirm the selected password by entering
`the password once more.
`If the password is properly
`re-confirmed, she is allowed to purchase CDs, download
`digital music, or make other purchases from the web site as
`described below. For repeat users, after clicking on the
`“Login” software button, the entered username and pass-
`word are compared with those stored in the database con-
`nected to the server. If the match is found, the access to the
`purchase transactions on the web site is validated, and the
`PC user is permitted to shop for music and other goods.
`Otherwise, the error message is displayed, and the PC user
`is prohibited from buying the music or other products. In this
`case, however, the PC user may still use the left portion of
`the screen to browse through various titles, read the news,
`etc., as described above.
`FIG. 1B shows an illustration of the video display screen
`after the PC user’s login has been successfully completed. In
`this case, after browsing through the available songs and
`albums,
`let
`it be assumed that
`the PC user decides to
`purchase two albums. By clicking on her selection in the left
`portion of the screen,
`the desired items, either CD or
`downloadable digital music, appear in the right portion
`under the “MCY Shopping List” hcading.
`Namely, as the PC user browses through the web site, she
`can select items of interest for purchase. These items are
`displayed in a “shopping basket,” that is, the right portion of
`the PC user’s computer screen as shown in FIG. 1B. The
`shopping basket is displayed continuously if there is at least
`one item therein. Alternatively, the shopping basket can be
`displayed continuously even when empty. Among other
`things,
`the shopping basket can display the name and
`quantity of the items selected, as well as the cost. The
`shopping basket can also indicate the total cost of the items
`in the shopping basket, as shown in FIG. 1B.
`In the preferred embodiment,
`the system permits the
`purchase of audio music files over the Internet. The PC user
`logs onto the vendor’s web site and browses the songs
`available for purchase. The songs can be arranged by artist,
`music style, etc., as mentioned above. Further, the vendor
`can provide suggestions on the web site, directing the PC
`user to songs that might be desirable, based on that PC user’s
`previous purchases, her indicated preferences, popularity of
`the songs, paid advertising and the like. If interested in a
`song, the PC user has the option of clicking on a song to
`“pre-listen” to it—hearing a 20-second clip, for example—
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1101 -0027
`
`

`

`US 6,247,130 B1
`
`5
`as illustrated in FIG. 1C. If the PC user then wishes to
`
`purchase the song, she can submit her order by clicking on
`the icons located next to each song/album, as also shown in
`FIG. 1C. The order will be reflected in the shopping basket,
`always visible on the screen. As the PC user selects more
`items, each and every item is displayed in the shopping
`basket (to the extent that space permits—a scroll bar may be
`necessary should the PC user select a large number of items).
`At any point in time, the PC user can review her selections,
`deleting items she no longer desires. When the PC user has
`developed a satisfactory list, she can submit her order by
`clicking on the “Purchase Items” button, as illustrated in
`FIG. 1E showing the magnified right portion of the screen,
`including the shopping basket